This Ukrainian band is branded as blackened Death-doom, so let's see where the album falls. It is the band's fourth, the second since their country was invaded by Russia. That conflict, which can it really be called a war, is what is the inspiration for this album. The opening track is more black metal, while the band drops into a more deliberate crunch for the second song. "1915" finds them going along more of a black metal path again, but here is where the more melodic doom elements also begin to creep in. A chorus of chanted vocals joins in when things pick up back into a blast beat.
Considering the circumstance in which it was recorded, this album sounds great; surprisingly, they were able to take this kind of time to dial an album in these days, but that is what happened. "1916" is another fast tremolo-picked blast fest that ebbs into more of a purposeful groove to show they also took their time with the songwriting. In many ways, what is happening here brings Behemoth to mind. The use of the backing vocals cheering them on, works really well to establish a sense of identity. They maintain the racing tension of their aggressive momentum on '1917"with the snarl of the vocals establishing its intentional command. The vocal anchors the song amid the waves of icy dissonance to provide purpose, not a common thing in black metal.
There is a more rousing anthemic feel to the mroe pagan inspired stomp to "1918".Not as blasting, it is a welcome departure that allows them to bask in a more dynamic sonic space. Thought midway into this song, even with the churning riffs shifting into the context of the song, all the moving part seem to feel ike they are being creativly recylced. Aaron from My Dying Bride lends his voice to a song that is well written and carries a great deal of purpose, called " '1918 PT 3 ADE..' There are some more mournful melodies, but it is not a doom song. The lyrics are telling a story throughout the album, here it is jsut a more pronounced fact. Jerome from Rome lends his voice to "1919" which features a haunting paino line. This gloomy ballad is a shift from what they have been doing, but I would not call it doom. The is a traditonal Ukrainian song that ends the album as an outro. I will give this one a 9.5, as it is really well done, and makes for a black metal album that cares about songs more than just a wall of blast beats so that is appreciated.Released n Napalm Records
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